Russia 10k Brown & Blue, First Issue

Russia · 1857 · 10 kopecks

This is the first postage stamp issued by the Russian Empire, commonly known as 'Russia No. 1'. The design features the imperial double-headed eagle, the coat of arms of Russia, within a circular frame, with post horns below and the denomination '10 коп' (10 kopecks) at the bottom. The stamp is imperforate, meaning it had to be cut from the sheet with scissors.

Issued in December 1857, this stamp marked Russia's entry into the global postal system, simplifying mail payment and standardizing rates across the vast empire under Tsar Alexander II.